Hickman fastest in first NW200 Superbike qualifying

Peter Hickman is riding a BMW in the colours of the recently-formed 8Ten Racing Team

Peter Hickman posted the fastest lap speed in an opening North West 200 Superbike qualifying session which was disrupted by two lengthy red flag stoppages caused by oil spills on Wednesday.

The Lincolnshire rider recorded an average speed of 121.732mph on his 8Ten Racing BMW to occupy provisional pole position for Thursday evening's opening Superbike race and the two outings in the premier class on Saturday.

The four-time North West race winner told BBC Sport afterwards that "it was the most comfortable he had ever felt on a Superbike at the North West".

Second on the practice leaderboard was Yorkshireman Dean Harrison, who lapped at 121.385 on his Honda Racing Fireblade.

The 36-year-old hit a top speed of 209pmh during the big bike session, with the Isle of Man resident saying that his bike "felt pretty good straight off".

The event's record wins holder Alastair Seeley was third quickest on his return to the meeting after a one-year absence on the SMS/Nicholl Oils BMW with 121.003.

The first oil deposit was between University Corner and Ballysally roundabout, with the second covering much of the fast section of the course between Station Corner and University.

Davey Todd, three-time runner-up to Glenn Irwin in the Superbike class in 2024, was well down the leaderboard after encountering "a couple of issues" with his BMW but believes he "has the pace" to improve his fortunes during the rest of the week.

"It's a brand new bike with no testing whatsoever," explained the six-time North West race winner.

"The rear brake pads fell off on the run to University and I lost my rear brake.

"With the new bike it's complete guesswork for us at the minute and I didn't complete a flying lap. It's just about getting the teething problems sorted out."

Michael Dunlop was seventh on the timesheets with a lap speed of 119.063mph.

Later in the day, Richard Cooper led the Supersport session following a lengthy delay caused by an incident at the Mill Road roundabout, which led to two riders being transported to hospital.

The Nottingham rider registered a speed of 116.795mph on his BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha, followed by Honda's Dean Harrison (116.775) and Michael Dunlop (115.682).

Superstock and Supertwins sessions were also scheduled but did not take place because of the delays.

Because of that, Thursday's qualifying scheduled has been altered so the Supertwins be the first bikes on track before the Superstock machines get their first running in the second session.

Superbike first qualifying fastest lap speeds -

1 Peter Hickman (BMW) 121.732mph; 2 Dean Harrison (Honda) 121.385; 3 Alastair Seeley (BMW) 121.003; 4 Paul Jordan (Honda) 120.652; 5 Erno Kostamo (BMW) 119.292; 6 Jamie Coward (BMW) 119.118.

Supersport first qualifying fastest lap speeds -

1 Richard Cooper (Yamaha) 116.795mph; 2 Dean Harrison (Honda) 116.775; 3 Michael Dunlop (Ducati) 115.682; 4 Peter Hickman (Triumph) 115.097; 5 Josh Brookes (Honda) 114.789; 6 Mike Browne (Yamaha) 114.727

Thursday schedule - Day

Session one: Supertwin qualifying

Session two: Superstock qualifying

Session three: Supersport qualifying

Session four: Superbike qualifying

Thursday schedule - Evening

Race one: Superbike (four laps)

Race two: Supersport (four laps)

Race three: Suprstock (four laps)